Raglan-NZ

I spent a memorable day with a DairyNZ discussion group at Raglan. Many members of this group were looking at once a day milking as an option for the drying season they were facing.

After the discussion group I visited the NZ surf mecca Raglan, complete with kiwi black sand.

After a farm visit I had to check out the "little waterfall" down the road!

New Zealand's Future Cows

Back to the beginning of my Nuffield Travels.
Late last year I began my Nuffield travels with a couple of weeks in New Zealand.
A week on each island was a great test run for my travels.

Hamilton NZ Super P farm trial herd run by DairyNZ.
The cows in this herd have been selected to typify Kiwi cows in 10 years time. This trial aims to convert more sunshine into dry matter from existing farm area, with higher producing forages meeting the demands and potential of the future high producing herd.

This herd was put together by selecting top genetic merit cows from across the North Island, they have a BW (breeding worth) of almost double the NZ average.

In order to meet the huge appetite of the high merit cows chicory is being trialed to fill a late summer feed gap.

Stockholm to Hoddle- Australia

After a few days in Stockholm may Nuffield trip is nearly over.

Skansen open air Museum in Stockholm was the worlds first open air museum, the collection contains rural buildings from throughout Sweden, a great way to help understand Swedish ag. history.

From Sweden we returned to the UK for a few days before taking to the sky again (for the 28th time on my Nuffield adventure).

As I travelled through New Zealand for my Nuffield project late last year I will post a few photos from this trip soon.

Robots on the way

This herd have some big changes to adapt to in the next few weeks as they are about to move into a robotic milking parlour.

After visiting over 30 dairy farms on four continents this is the first time I've seen shiny new stainless steel being installed this season. The low international dairy market of 2008-9 appears to have put a lot of plans on hold.

Pastures waiting to dry out to begin the seasons silage harvest.

Swedish Organics

Newly developed organic dairy in Sweden

.

Modern housing facility is home to the herd every day of the year with the cows going out to pasture for at least 5 hrs a day for 3 months of the year.

Large feed mixer wagon used mix the herds feed ration.